In a devastating incident, at least 48 people lost their lives when a petrol tanker collided with a truck carrying travellers and cattle in Niger State, Nigeria. The tragic accident occurred on September 8, 2024, at around 12:30 am along the Bida-Agaie-Lapai road, approximately 2 kilometres from Dendo Community in Agaie Local Government Area.
According to Abdullahi Baba-Arah, the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the petrol tanker, which was loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), collided head-on with a trailer truck transporting passengers and cattle from Wudil, Kano State, destined for Lagos.
“Over 30 people have already been confirmed dead, with more than 50 cattle burnt alive,” Baba-Arah stated in a press release. He also mentioned that two other vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup van, were caught in the ensuing fire.
The NSEMA’s Rapid Response Team (RRT), in collaboration with local emergency management committees, is currently conducting search and rescue operations at the scene as more bodies remain trapped inside the vehicles.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has described the incident as “unfortunate” and extended his condolences to the bereaved families and communities affected by this tragedy.
This incident is the latest in a series of deadly tanker explosions that have plagued Nigerian highways in recent years. According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), there were 1,531 tanker crashes in 2020 alone, resulting in 535 fatalities and 1,142 injuries.
Experts attribute these accidents to factors such as reckless driving, poor road conditions, and inadequately maintained vehicles. The lack of a reliable railway system for cargo transport in Nigeria has also contributed to the high number of deadly truck accidents on the country’s major roads.
As the nation mourns the loss of lives in this tragic incident, it is crucial for policymakers and stakeholders to prioritise road safety and implement measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. This may include stricter regulations, improved vehicle maintenance, enhanced driver training, and investments in road infrastructure and emergency response capabilities.
By Joseph Johnston
Youth Editor,
Egogonews Hub
